Life-preserver.



Patented 0m 17,1899.

2. c. ANaEvmE. LIFE 'PRESERVEB.

(Application filed. Sept. 26, 1898.)

(No Model.)

ilnrrnn dramas amen.

Parana LiFE- PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming par-t ot Letters Patent No. 635,069,de.ted October 17, 1899.

Application filed September 26, 1898. Serial No. 691,913. 1 (No model.)

citizen of the United States, residing atLos Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of Oalifornia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers and Swimming Devices, of which the foilowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to an improved device adapted to act 'as a Iife-preserverand also as a swimming device by which speed may be obtained in swimming as well as safety, the body being supported for an indefinite period without the action of swimming; and my invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure I is a perspective view of my im= proved body-support,showing the same in position secured to the body. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of thebody'support. Fig. 111 is an end elevation of the body-support, showing its attachments to the strap. Fig. IVis a front elevation of the trunk of a body, showing the strap secured thereto. Fig. V is a rear elevation of the trunk of a body, show ing position of straps.

Referring. to the drawings, 1 represents a figure to which is secured my improved swimming and life-preserving device. i

2 represents my improved body-support, made of any approved material, flexible in form, which may be filled with air or gas and distended, and which collapses when the air or gas has been released therefrom. The

body-support 2 is preferably made of two cylind'rical chambers having beveled ends, as shown in Fig. I, said chambers tapering from their rear ends to their forward ends in order to afford the least possible resistance from the friction of the water as the user moves in a forward direction, said cylinders or supports being secured to the back of the user,.

permitting the body to be submerged by the. water in such a position that the head of the person is entirely above the water. The supports 2 are provided with nipples 3, through which they may be inflated.

4' represents suitable longitudinal strips which extend along the back of theuser, said strips preferably being made of aluminium covered withrubber. To the strips 4 are connected a series of hooks or snaps 5, into which rings 6 on the body-support are placed when the device is in use, this construction admitting of the removal of the body-support from the strip and straps'when desired.

7 represents transverse straps connected with the strips 4, which pass around the body to secure the body-support thereto,said straps having a buckle 8 for securing the respective ends of the same.

9 represents thigh-bands, preferably made of canvas, said thigh-bands being secured at 10'to a central backstrap 11. 1

12 represents straps and buckles on the. thigh-bands for securing the respective ends of said bands around the thighs. The said straps 7 are secured to the back-strap 11 at 13, the thigh-bandsthus holding the bodysupport from travelingtoward the head of the user. Theupper end of the back-strap 11 is divided, forming shoulder-straps 14, which pass over the shoulders and are se-, cured at 15 to a retaining-strap 16, which passes under the arms and which is secured in the back to the back-strap, these shoulderstraps preventing the body-support from moving toward the feet of the user.

17 represents a cap formed of any suitable material, which may be inflated and which supports the head above the water when the user is lying or swimming upon his back.

18 represents a nipple through which the cap 17 may be inflated. The cap 17 is con- .nected with the back-strap by means of a strap 19.

20 represents shoulder-cushions which rest upon the breast of the user and which may be inflated in order to support the forward part of the body at a higher elevation than the rear portion, said cushions 20 being provided with nipples 21, through which they may be in dated. The cushions are properly secured to the body by means of the straps 1416. a

I do not confine myself to thh number of supports shown or to their exact location on the body, as the same may be increased or diminished or changed as to position if found desirable without departing from the spirit I elain as my invention- 1. Ali e-preserver and swimming device comprising a body-support consisting, of eylindrical chambers having beveled ends, and tapering from their rear end to their forward end, the longitudinal body-strips, the transverse body-straps', and means for connecting the chambers with the body-strips; substantially as'described. V

2. A life-preserver and swimming device comprising a boody support, the longitudinal body-strips, the transverse body-straps, the thigh-bands, the central baclostrap secured to the thigh-bands and extending; around the shoulders,and means for connecting the bodysnpport with the body-strips; substantially as described.

of my lri ention.

3. A life-preserver and swimming; device comprising a body-support, the longitudinal body-strips, the transverse body-straps, the central back-strap, extending around the shoulders, the shoulder-cushions, and means for connecting the body-support with the body-strips; substantially as described.

at. A life-preserver and swimming device comprising a body-support, the longitudinal body-strips, the transverse body-straps, the central back. strap, extending around the shoulders, the cap, the strap connecting the cap with the back-strap, and means (for connecting the body-support with the body-strips; substantially as described.

ZENUS C. ANG R VERE.

\Vitnesses:

.T'. W. Knnr, .T. E. KNIGHT. 

